Uni-sex multi-sport footwear accessory

ABSTRACT

The uni-sex multi-sport footwear is an accessory is a flexible accessory. The footwear accessory may have one or a number of fasteners located on various areas of the accessory, or the fastener(s) may be omitted altogether. The footwear accessory may be configured as an ankle band or a, sock.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/289,372 filed on Nov. 30, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/845,543, filed on May 14, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear accessories, and particularly to a footwear accessory that ornamentally displays indicia.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Decorative displays on shirts, shoes, and other such products that may be worn by consumers have become a prosperous facet of the clothing industry. Once plain shirts now often feature elaborate designs of famous artists, and virtually every sport-related item of clothing now displays a professional team's or sporting company's logo. There are few additional avenues left for visual displays that may be worn on items of clothing, sportswear or the like. While some clothing items that do not immediately lend themselves to displaying ornamental designs have incorporated such designs on the item of clothing, new clothing items do not abound.

In addition, although there are various items of clothing such as ankle braces, shoes, etc. that may be placed on feet or around ankles, these items are used for therapeutic purposes, generally to support the feet and ankles. They are designed to restrict movement of the ankle and foot, thus to prevent injuries. However, there are no footwear accessories, the sole purpose of which is ornamental display of indicia. Accordingly, there is a need for a footwear accessory used to display indicia.

Although the related art addresses socks, braces and other items of clothing on which indicia is shown, what is needed is a comfortable, flexible accessory item that provides for display of various marks and indicia. What is further needed is a footwear accessory that serves to display items and does not limit the user's ankle or foot movement. Such an accessory should fit with ease within a shoe and serve merely as a clothing item providing for ornamental display of team logos, names, etc.

None of the inventions and patents, cited and identified in the accompanying IDS, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a uni-sex multi-sport accessory solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The uni-sex multi-sport footwear accessory is a flexible accessory shaped as an ankle band for use as an indicia-displaying device. In one embodiment, the multi-sport accessory includes an upper band adapted to encircle a wearer's lower leg, side straps depending from the upper band, a middle section adapted to encircle a wearer's ankle and a lower band dimensioned to extend beneath a wearer's foot. The middle section and lower band define several openings with which to situate a user's foot. The upper band may have several display strips with which to display indicia such as logos, team names and the like. When the footwear accessory is pulled onto the foot and a shoe is put on over the accessory, the upper band of the footwear accessory is visible over the shoe and provides a clear display of the indicia. The side straps, middle section and lower band may alternatively be omitted, such that only the upper band is positioned about the user's lower leg.

In another embodiment, the accessory comprises a socks having provision for a removable logo to be mounted thereon. The socks can also be provided with a fastener device located in one or more areas.

Advantageously, the uni-sex multi-sport footwear accessory is a lightweight, flexible accessory designed to fit comfortably within a user's shoe. It is not bulky nor does it require an elaborate, sturdy construction as it is not intended for use as a therapeutic device. The footwear accessory does not limit movement of the ankle in order to protect the ankle against injury-causing twisting movements. It is intended only as an accessory item that allows for the display of a team logo or similar indicia. The footwear accessory is a unique clothing item that may be used to compliment team uniforms or identify individual athletic players.

It is an aspect of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an environmental elevational side view of the footwear accessory as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational side view of a footwear accessory according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an elevational side view of a footwear accessory according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational side view of a footwear accessory according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an elevational side view of a footwear accessory according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an environmental side view of a footwear accessory according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18. is an exploded perspective view of a footwear accessory as shown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19. is a perspective view of a footwear accessory according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is an indicia displaying footwear accessory, designated generally as 10 in the drawings. The footwear accessory 10 is made up of a flexible body 12 of unitary construction. One type of material for the body 12 may be an elastomeric fabric, for example, neoprene. The footwear accessory 10 is designed to fit around a user's ankle and foot. An upper band 14 is adapted to encircle a user's lower leg above the ankle, and display indicia thereon as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, the flexible body 12 of the footwear accessory 10 includes an upper band 14, side straps 16, a middle section 18, and a lower band 20. The upper band 14 contains multiple display strips 30 for use in displaying indicia, such as logos, team names, etc. The upper band 14 includes a buckle fastener 40 consisting of a buckle 42 and strips of hook and loop fastening material 44 used in combination for attaching two ends of the upper band 14 to each other. The side straps 16 depend from the upper band 14. The middle section 18 of the flexible body 12 is integrally connected to the side straps 16. The middle section 18 encircles a user's ankle. The lower band 20 is integrally connected to the middle section 18 of the flexible body 12. The lower band 20 is dimensioned to extend beneath a user's foot, between a user's heel, and a front portion of the user's foot. The upper band 14, side straps 16 and middle section 18 of the flexible body 12 define a plurality of middle openings 32. The middle section 18 of the flexible body 12 and the lower band 20 define a lower front opening 34 to allow for placement of the front portion of the user's foot and a lower back opening 36 to allow for placement of the user's heel. A stiffener 50 provides support along the side straps 16 for the flexible body 12. The flexible body 12 of the footwear accessory 10 may be made from a synthetic material.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the footwear accessory 10 is shown, partially within a user's shoe and partially outside of a user's shoe. The middle section 18 of the flexible body 12 and the lower band 20 are situated within the user's shoe. The side straps 16 and the upper band 14 with display strips 30 generally lie above the shoe on a lower portion of the user's leg such that the display strips 30 are not obstructed by the user's shoe.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of footwear accessory 10. Upper band 14, side straps 16, middle section 18 of the flexible body 12, and lower band 20 are shown. In addition, the upper band 14 contains a plurality of upper openings 60 used for aesthetic appeal, situated between the display strips 30.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the footwear accessory 10. The upper band 14 includes multiple display strips 30 to show indicia. The upper band 14 does not include a fastener. The middle section 18 includes a front hook and loop fastener 46 for fastening two sides of the middle section 18 to each other. The front hook and loop fastener 46 has strips of hook and loop fastening material that provide for attachment between two ends of the middle section 18 of the flexible body.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. The upper band 14 contains a buckle fastener 40 to attach two ends of the upper band 14 to each other and the middle section 18 contains a rear hook and loop fastener 48 to attach two ends of the middle band 18 to each other.

FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. At least one zipper 70 is situated on the footwear accessory 10 from the middle section 18, up at least one side strap 16 and ending at the upper band 14.

Additionally, the flexible body 12 may be reversible, with indicia displayed on display strips 30 situated on either side of the flexible body 12 (not shown). The display strips 30 may be detachable from the flexible body 12, using hook and loop fastening material to attach it onto the flexible body.

FIG. 7 shows an environmental side view of a sixth embodiment of the invention 80. The flexible body 12 of unitary construction includes a band 72 that is adapted to receive the ankle and foot of a user. The band 72 fits about the user's ankle. The flexible body 12 of unitary construction is elasticized in order to accommodate ankles of varying sizes. The band 72 has a first end 74 and a second end 76. The first 74 and second 76 ends may be attached to one another with any of a number of fastening devices, for example, a zipper 78 that is integrated into both the first 74 and second 76 ends. The user may place the footwear accessory 80 around the user's ankle and attach the accessory 80 onto the lower leg by fastening the zipper 78.

Alternatively, the zipper 78 or other fastener system may be omitted, and the first 74 and second 76 ends may be integrated into one another, so that the flexible body 12 is shaped as a one-piece annular band. The user then slides the accessory 80 onto the user's leg by placing the user's foot through the foot aperture 86 and pulling the band 72 over the ankle.

Indicia display strips 30 are strips of detachable material that are releasably attached to the band 72. The band 72 has a plurality of first strips of hook and loop fastening material 82 to which the display strips 30 are attached. Each display strip 30 has an exterior surface 84 and an interior surface 86 (shown more clearly in FIG. 8). The interior surface 86 of each of the display strips 30 is designed to attach to the first strips of hook and loop fastening material 82. The display strips 30 may be interchanged with any number of other indicia display strips 30 in order to display different types of indicia on the band 72.

FIG. 8 is a seventh embodiment of the invention 80. The display strips are attached to the first strips of hook and loop fastening material 82 that are affixed to the band 72. The exterior surface 84 of each of the display strips 30 has decorative indicia 90 disposed thereon. The interior surface 86 of each of the strips has a mating second strip of hook and loop fastening material 88 attached thereto. The interior surface 86 of the display strips may then be releasably attached to the first strips of hook and loop fastening material 82. A plurality of female snaps 92 is affixed to the first end 74 of the band 72. A plurality of mating male snaps 94 is attached to the second end 76 of the band 72. The female snaps 92 are releasably connected to the male snaps 94 to maintain the band 72 about the user's lower leg.

FIG. 9 is an eighth embodiment of footwear accessory 100. The fabric body 12 of the accessory 100 includes the upper band 72 having a lower band 102 integrally attached to the upper band 72. The end of the lower band 102 is lined with a strip of hook and loop fastening material 110. When the user puts the band 72 about the user's lower leg, the lower band 102 is situated under the user's foot and attaches to the ends 74 and 76 of the upper band 72.

Display strips 30 are affixed to the upper band 72. The first end 74 of the upper band 72 has an interior-facing strip of hook and loop fastening material 104 and the second end 76 of the upper band 72 has an exterior-facing strip of hook and loop fastening material 106. When the invention 100 is placed about a user's lower leg, the interior-facing strip of hook and loop fastening material 104 of the first end 74 releasably attaches to the exterior-facing strip of hook and loop fastening material 106 of the second end 76.

The first end 74 of the upper band 72 also has a second exterior-facing strip of hook and loop fastening material 108 that faces outward when the first 74 and second 76 ends of the upper band 72 are affixed to one another. The lower band strip of hook and loop fastening material 110 is adapted to fasten to the second exterior-facing strip of hook and loop fastening material 108 on the first end 74. Thus, when the upper band 72 is placed about a user's lower leg, the lower band 102 is placed under the user's foot and attaches to the second exterior-facing strip of hook and loop fastening material 108.

FIG. 10 is a ninth embodiment of the footwear 200 showing a unitary body 12 of elastomeric fabric, for example, neoprene. Attached at a front and rear top portion of the footwear 200 are removable or non-removable multiple display strips 30 for displaying indicia as previously disclosed in this application. Removable display strips may utilize a hook and loop fastening system as previously disclosed. In each of the following FIGS. 10 through 16, a lower band 20 extends from a lower central portion of the footwear 200 under the sole of the user and the cut out portions for receiving a user's heel H and instep I extend in an upward direction from the lower portion of lower band 20. The cut out portions for receiving the user's heel H and instep I are configured such that lower band 20 is the only portion of footwear 200 received within a shoe when said the footwear 200 is worn by a user.

FIG. 11 is a tenth embodiment of the invention, similar to footwear 200 of FIG. 10, but including a vertically oriented zipper 302 positioned between the front and rear portions to fasten the footwear 300 onto a user's ankle.

FIG. 12 is an eleventh embodiment of the invention, similar to footwear 300 of FIG. 11 but replacing the zipper 302 with a resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 402. Webbing 402 allows a user to expand the top opening of footwear 400 by stretching the elastomeric webbing 402 upon insertion of a user's foot. Additionally, the resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing, as described here and below, only allows stretching in one planar direction of the webbing. In this configuration, the webbing is oriented to allow expansion only in a direction between the forward and rearward portion of the elastomeric fabric, that is, in a circumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12, but not in a vertical direction.

FIG. 13 is a twelfth embodiment of the invention showing footwear 500 having resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 502 on two side of the body 12. A first portion 502 of resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing is located on the front of footwear 500 above and including a portion of the instep I opening. A second portion 504 of resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing is located on the rear of footwear 500 above and including a portion of the heel H opening. In this embodiment, the elastomeric webbing is allowed to stretch in a direction from side to side, that is, in a circumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12, but not in a vertical direction.

FIG. 14 is a thirteenth embodiment of the footwear 600 as shown in FIG. 13 now including a zipper 602 located on the body 12 between the first portion 502 and second portion 504 of the resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing material. Again, in this embodiment, the elastomeric webbing is allowed to stretch in a direction from side to side, that is, in a circumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12, but not in a vertical direction.

FIG. 15 is a fourteenth embodiment of the footwear 700 including a resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 702 located on an upper rear portion of body 12. In this embodiment, a rear facing display strip 30 is a attached via a hook and loop fastening system to the resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 702. In this embodiment, the elastomeric webbing is allowed to stretch in a direction from side to side, that is, in a circumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12, but not in a vertical direction.

FIG. 16 is a fifteenth embodiment of the footwear 800 including a resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 802 on the front portion of said body 12. In this embodiment, a forward facing display strip 30 is attached via a hook and loop fastening system to the resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing 802. Additionally, a portion 804 of resilient stretchable elastomeric webbing is located on the rear of footwear 500 above and including a portion of the heel H opening similar to FIGS. 13 & 14. Again, in this embodiment, the elastomeric webbing is allowed to stretch in a direction from side to side, that is, in a circumferential direction of the elastomeric material of body 12, but not in a vertical direction.

FIGS. 17 through 19 are illustrative of embodiments that employ a sock(s) as the footwear accessory. The sock comprises conventional foot portion 900 and ankle enclosing portion having an outer surface 902. The circumferential top of ankle enclosing portion 902 is provided with display indicia 904, 906. The indicia may be attached directly to the sock by sewing or the like as shown at 904, or the indicia may be removably attached to the sock as indicated at 906. Hook and loop fasteners 908 a are attached to the sock whereas mating hook and loop fasteners 908 b are disposed on the rear surface of the indicia to accomplish the removability of the indicia. The socks can be fabricated from any soft and supple material (cotton, wool, synthetic, etc.). In FIG. 19 a fastener in the form of a zipper 909 is shown as a fashionable adjunct for the accessory sock for closing the circumferential top portion of the sock.

While various fastening methods are used to illustrate the manner in which the user is to affix the footwear accessory to the user's leg, it is to be understood that any of a number of fasteners may be used to maintain the footwear accessory about the user's leg.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A footwear accessory, comprising: a sock, said sock having a foot portion and an ankle enclosing portion a circumferential portion forming the top of said ankle enclosing portion; at least one first fastener member attached to an outward-facing surface of said circumferential portion; at least one indicia display member, said indicia display member having a rear surface; and a mating second fastener disposed on said rear surface of said indicia display member, whereby said mating second fastener is releasably attached to said first fastener.
 2. The footwear accessory according to claim 1, wherein said first fastener comprises hook and loop fastening material and said mating second fastener comprises hook and loop fastening material.
 3. The footwear accessory according to claim 1, wherein there are plural first fastener members and plural indicia display members.
 4. The footwear accessory according to claim 1, further comprising a zipper, said zipper having mating portions for closing said circumferential portion.
 5. A footwear accessory, comprising: a sock, said sock having a foot portion and an ankle enclosing portion a circumferential portion forming the top of said ankle enclosing portion; at least one first fastener member attached to an outward-facing surface of said circumferential portion; at least one first indicia display member, said indicia display member having a rear surface; a mating second fastener disposed on said rear surface of said first indicia display member, whereby said mating second fastener is releasably attached to said first fastener; and at least one second indicia display member, said second indicia display member attached directly to said outward facing surface of said circumferential portion.
 6. The footwear accessory according to claim 5, wherein said first fastener comprises hook and loop fastening material and said mating second fastener comprises hook and loop fastening material.
 7. The footwear accessory according to claim 5, wherein there are plural first fastener members and plural indicia display members.
 8. The footwear accessory according to claim 5, further comprising a zipper, said zipper having mating portions for closing said circumferential portion.
 9. A footwear accessory, comprising: a sock, said sock having a foot portion and an ankle enclosing portion a circumferential portion forming the top of said ankle enclosing portion; at least one first hook and loop fastener member attached to an outward-facing surface of said circumferential portion; at least one first indicia display member, said indicia display member having a rear surface; a mating second hook and loop fastener disposed on said rear surface of said first indicia display member, whereby said mating second fastener is releasably attached to said first fastener; at least one second indicia display member, said second indicia display member attached directly to said outward facing surface of said circumferential portion; and a zipper, said zipper having mating portions for closing said circumferential portion. 